The Savoy’s Gucci Wonderland
The Savoy's Royal Suite has received a Gucci makeover, as the famous fashion house has brought its signature bold style to the iconic London hotel
Once upon a time, there was a hotel porter named Guccio, who ferried luggage around in one of the most luxurious hotels in London, if not the world. From the moment The Savoy opened its doors in 1889, it became a byword for extravagance, class, and sophistication, synonymous with high-end hospitality.
And no small measure of boundary-pushing guests either: in 1896, the Duchesse de Clermont-Tonnerre became the first woman to ever smoke in public at her dinner table. While Marilyn Monroe created something of a scandal in 1956 by wearing (gasp) a midriff-baring dress.
The hotel certainly made a big impression on our Italian teenager, whose jaw regularly dropped at the dazzling craftsmanship and detail found herein, the sumptuous ‘Red lift’, and elegance and of the upper-class clientele. In fact, something of a boundary-pushing individual himself, it inspired him, back in Florence, to create his very own luxury leather goods brand, and ultimately, a fashion house, whose name (his surname) would go on to become just as iconic. You’ve guessed it: Gucci.
And now, thanks to a creative collaboration with Gucci, the hotel has raised the bar even higher, transforming its flagship Royal Suite into an ode to the Italian fashion house, and all the glamour it embodies. Spanning the entire fifth floor, every aspect of the Suite has been designed to transport guests to a fairytale world of extravagance, where past and present meet in delightful union.
Comments Franck Arnold, managing director at The Savoy, “Collaborations between luxury brands are nothing new, but the fact that Guccio Gucci worked at The Savoy and was inspired by seeing the style and accessories of our guests is such a gorgeous part of our history.”
As you step into this vast 3,000 sq ft space, you’re immediately struck by the eclectic opulence that surrounds you. Covetable furnishings and objets d’art from the Gucci Décor collection line the high-ceilinged sitting room, while a built-in bar – complete with Gucci-themed cocktail list – pops another cherry on top.
A six-person dining room serves up an afternoon tea with a unique projection of Gucci Flora designs, while a capacious dressing room boasts four cedar-lined wardrobes. Gucci’s Alessandro Michele has brought a playful aesthetic to bear here, decking the suite out with Gucci’s signature bold botanical-print wallpapers, tasselled cushions, and perfume bottles, plus a rich colour palette of burgundy, gold and peacock blues.
The pièce de résistance is surely the elegant bedroom, which features a four-poster bed with a handmade Savoir mattress – and cashmere springs: the devil is everywhere in the detail. That’s not all: via the TV, guests can access guided meditation sessions and reactive lighting, all but ensuring a peaceful night’s sleep.
As you wake, floor-to-ceiling windows offer stunning views of the Thames – the same views that inspired a certain Claude Monet during his stays. The green marble bathroom with its signature heated chequered floors, aromatherapy oils (curated by your personal butler), and a tub overlooking the river only adds to that sense of indulgence. Fancy a cuppa? The aforementioned personal butler can deliver afternoon tea to your room – or even a ‘Hanky Panky’ Highball – complete with mixologist.
And the Gucci touch doesn’t stop there: on the hotel’s ground floor, the Gucci Valigeria boutique showcases the fashion house’s artisanal craftsmanship and idiosyncratic panache; from luxe monogrammed duffle bags to butter-soft leather totes.
You can even ask for a Virtual Reality headset to play with. But why would you need it, when real life looks this good? Oh, the price? Ah yes. A snip at £15,875 per night. Suite dreams.